Auwal magic! Flying Eagles soar past Tunisia in cagey U-20 AFCON clash

Nigeria’s Flying Eagles have fired a loud warning shot to their rivals at the ongoing U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, opening their campaign with a gritty 1-0 victory over Tunisia in Cairo on Thursday.

It was Auwal Ibrahim—the electric Akwa United forward—who lit up the 30 June Stadium in the 38th minute, finishing off a sublime team move that ripped through the Tunisian defence and sent Nigerian fans into raptures.

The tightly contested Group B clash saw the young Nigerians showcase flair, fire, and fierce determination as they gunned down their North African foes, continuing their reign of dominance over Tunisia in U-20 AFCON history.

According to Premium Times, coming off a thrilling 2-1 friendly win over hosts Egypt, Head Coach Aliyu Zubairu had urged his boys to stay sharp. And they delivered—marrying tactical steel with attacking swagger in a performance that stamped Nigeria’s title credentials.

“That win against Egypt gave us belief, but this was the real test—and the boys showed character,” Zubairu said after the match, visibly proud of his youthful warriors.

With Germany-based Precious Benjamin orchestrating midfield play and WAFU B sensation Kparobo Arierhi dazzling on the wings, the Flying Eagles now sit proudly atop Group B and look ahead to a fiery encounter with Morocco.

More than just a win, Thursday’s result marked another chapter in Nigeria’s storied supremacy over Tunisia—having previously bested them in the 2023 bronze-medal match and the 1985 final.

Nigeria’s sights are firmly set on finishing in the top four and clinching a ticket to the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile—and if this explosive start is anything to go by, the Eagles are ready to fly all the way.